On the third Saturday in May, Wildlands Day is held at Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area. More than a hundred people attended this year’s event to enjoy the abundance of plants and wildlife in the hills of western Nebraska. Educator Maggie Vinson writes about the day and makes a great case for attending the seventh incarnation of the event in 2014.

Every spring, more than a half-million Sandhill Cranes migrate through central Nebraska, where they stopover and spend a few weeks feeding in and along the North Platte River and surrounding land. Since 1971, the Rivers and Wildlife Celebration has been an annual event timed with this great bird migration. Educator Maggie Vinson writes about her experiences during this year’s festival, including a trip at dusk to view the cranes and a fun-filled day helping run the Wild Experience Room for kids.

Forty volunteers turned out for a cold but clear day to participate in the Barr Lake Christmas Bird Count on Jan. 4, 2013. The day featured the highest turnout ever and more than 70 species counted. What species were found?

Whew! The dust has finally settled after two fun events to help raise funds in support of our conservation and education programs, the Wing Ding: Have a Brew for the Birds and our annual BBQ for the Birds. The BBQ grill has cooled down, the awards have been handed out, and the staff at RMBO has finally gotten the chicken wing sauce out from under their fingernails.

For nearly 10 years, Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory has enjoyed a partnership with the Audubon Society of Greater Denver for bird banding and environmental education at the Audubon Center at Chatfield State Park near Denver. More than 100 guests gathered at the site on May 4 for the opening of a new pavilion that will serve as an outdoor classroom where school groups and others can enjoy seeing and hearing about birds, banding and conservation.